by Carl Strang
November is moving along, and I have some observations to report from Mayslake Forest Preserve that characterize the season. First is a casualty of the migration.
I found this hermit thrush on the paved path that runs along 31st Street at Mayslake’s north boundary. Probably hit by a car, the bird looks peaceful but sadly still.
Though I haven’t seen the animals themselves, deer have been active on the preserve lately. Here a buck prepared for the rut by attacking some defenseless sumacs in the north savanna.
Deer also have been frequenting the orchard on the mansion grounds, snacking on fallen apples.
Finally, with the water table dropping during the recent dry spell, crayfish have had to tunnel down to keep pace with it, hence the new chimneys on their holes.
These notes begin my second year at Mayslake.
